A common question among many mothers, knowing how many ml of milk to give your baby at each stage is a frequent concern. We know that breastfeeding is recommended as the exclusive source of nutrition until the 6th month1. But for various reasons, some newborns are fed infant formula as a breastfeeding supplement or even as their only food.
Knowing how many ml of milk to give your baby and what the right amount is to ensure healthy growth causes some anxiety for mothers, whether they are breastfeeding or not. It’s natural to want to be sure your little ones are being fed properly and receiving all the nutrients their bodies need to meet their energy and hydration requirements.
Is there an exact amount?
It’s important to remember there is no exact amount of milk that must be strictly followed. Every baby has different needs, although there is a safe guideline. Some factors, such as the baby’s age, weight, and health status, directly influence how many ml of milk to give to ensure a balanced diet.
Don’t hesitate to discuss all these questions with the pediatrician. Although there are recommendations as a general basis2, only the pediatrician can recommend how many ml of milk to give your baby. The pediatrician will consider your child’s unique needs and conditions and, thus, prescribe what’s best for their development.
How much milk does a newborn drink?
Considering the baby is exclusively formula-fed in the first week of life, a newborn drinks on average 30 to 60 ml of milk at each feeding, with intervals of three to four hours between feedings. Keep in mind that each baby has individual needs. Some may want to feed more frequently, while others are sleepier. You might even need to wake them up so they don’t go too many hours without feeding. Therefore, the amount of milk given to a newborn can certainly vary, so don’t worry.
The label on each infant formula already specifies the measurements to be used when preparing the milk, and these should be followed strictly. Recommendations for how many ml of milk to give your baby at each stage are also provided. You should make all these decisions following the pediatrician’s recommendations. The pediatrician will assess your baby’s weight, age, and nutritional needs and give you the most reliable guidance.
The amount of milk a newborn drinks increases gradually, week by week, by about 30ml per week. This means that by 1 month old, the baby is drinking about 90 to 120 ml of milk per feeding. Knowing how many ml of milk to give the baby when breastfeeding exclusively is more difficult. However, these guidelines apply to any kind of milk, whether breast or formula. But don’t worry, you’ll notice that as the weeks go by, your baby will become better at suckling and will be able to drink a larger amount of milk in the same feeding time.
Whether breastfeeding or using infant formula, the amount of milk you should give your baby will depend greatly on how hungry they are! The advice during this stage is to offer milk whenever they ask for it. Little by little, you’ll understand the signs that show they’re truly hungry, and you’ll naturally develop a set routine with more regular intervals between feedings.
Important: The pediatrician is the one who should determine how many ml of milk to give your baby as well as the ideal feeding frequency for each child. If you have concerns about your little one’s development, talk to your doctor and clarify all your questions.
How much milk does a one-month-old baby drink?
After the first weeks, your baby has gained weight. Now you’re familiar with how hungry they get—and you’ll notice it keeps increasing! But all of this is normal, so don’t worry. Starting from the first month, the baby is expected to drink between 90 and 120ml of milk per feeding. They can drink, on average, between 420 ml and 720 ml of milk per day. And it doesn’t stop there! The amount of milk at each feeding continues to increase each week until they reach 6 months old.
Feeding frequency may also vary. On average, it’s about 5 to 7 times per day. But remember: none of these averages are exact calculations. Understand your baby’s needs, and know that what’s best for them might not be ideal for another baby the same age. You’ll know when you need to increase the amount of milk in the bottle if your baby finishes all the milk. It’s always a good idea to leave a bit left over to make sure your baby is full. When the bottle is always emptied, it’s time to add another 30 ml.
If you want to know how many ml of milk to give a one-month-old baby, these are the expected averages. But if your baby drinks more or less than this, it’s not necessarily a problem. Many babies who drink less than 120 ml per feeding still gain weight and get all the necessary nutrients for healthy development. This depends on several individual clinical factors, and only your pediatrician can assess each situation.
How much milk for each stage of your baby
If the baby is breastfed exclusively, it may be harder to measure how many ml of milk they’re drinking. But you’ll soon notice signs they’re hungry. Over the months, they’ll get better at suckling and will definitely need less time to drink a larger volume of milk. Their weight gain and development are monitored by the pediatrician, who can confirm that everything is progressing as expected.
For babies who are formula-fed, keeping track of how many ml of milk they drink each day is easier thanks to the bottle. You’ve already seen how much milk to give a newborn and, on average, a one-month-old baby. But what about after six months? Does this amount stay the same?
How much does a 6-month-old baby drink?
At 6 months, other foods are introduced into the baby’s diet. As a result, the amount of milk will gradually reduce. By age 1, your baby’s diet will include an even greater variety of new foods3. Naturally, the amount of milk they’ll drink daily will decrease.
Even with their new diet, milk is still important for development. Babies take a long time to stop breastfeeding completely. It’s normal for them to breastfeed until around age 5 (or even longer—there’s no set rule).
Important Tip: For mothers who breastfeed, whether exclusively or not, Famivita has a vitamin to help during this stage. Replenishing all the nutrients is very important, so we recommend FamiGesta.
